Thread: Why we strop

I just found this image the other day



While the angles and metals are different, it clearly illustrates why we strop.

Yes, exactly. I have repeatedly described bevel setting as the conversion of a "U" shaped edge into a "V" and that as you shave small parts of it are folded over into a series of small "J"s. Stropping is done to straighten the "J"s back into a "V" shape along the length of the edge.

Wow, cool photo. Explains things very well.

Thank you. Now I understand even more why I hate needles. Oh, and also why stropping is important.

Thank you Mark . They say an image (or 4 in this case) is worth a 1,000 (or 4,000 in this case) words.

That's some informative imagery, I think it could do with a place in the stropping wiki with a little this is why it's important blurb.

Geek

awesome post Mark , clearly shows how quick things turn ugly

Originally Posted by BladeRunner001

Thank you Mark . They say an image (or 4 in this case) is worth a 1,000 (or 4,000 in this case) words.

This is the one that surprised me the most. Not so much because of the curling of the leading edge, but of the flaking off on the bevel itself. It really illustrates why stropping is needed to get a blade ready "to put to face" as they say.

Great post! Most effective illustration, thanks.

I'm not sure of the flaking. What you are thinking is metal flaking may actually be flakes of tissue.